Nudging the thread back in the direction of the OP, here's an article in today's WSJ that I find quite interesting, and captures more of the sentiment of conservatives "outside the beltway." In fact, I suspect that there are far more conservatives per capita outside the beltway than inside.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...s_opinion_main
I think its fair to say that the shenanigans in Washington by the political class has worn pretty thin on supporters of both primary parties. Meanwhile, the shift to the right at the state and local level in a number of states has produced interesting results and interesting people to watch who may be on the rise in the GOP.
Obama and Romney may not represent the direction of their respective parties, particularly outside the Washington establishment. If so, 2012 and probably 2016 may be years of transition for the GOP as those newer to prominent elected positions in the party build their resumes.
If Obama is not successful in 2012, one might wonder if the same might happen to the Dems: a revamp and retrenchment with new faces with new resumes for 2016 and beyond?